I took this from Reuel's blog. Reuel is an amazing person who lives radically for God. Check out his blog sometime (see links). I met him in KC a couple of years ago, and have enjoyed reading about his life since.

Below is a challenging piece (for me anyway) to meditate on.

Excerpted from:The Heart God Revives by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Proud PeopleVs. Broken & Humble People

Focus on Failures of othersVs.Overwhelmed with sense of personal spiritual need

Critical & fault-finding spirit; looking at other’s faults with a microscope; own with a telescopeVs.Compassion- being able to forgive much knowing how much Grace has been given

Self-righteous; looking down on othersVs.Esteeming others better than self

Desire to be successfulVs.Motivated to be faithful and to make others a success

Desire self-advancementVs.Desire to promote others

Possessing a drive to be recognized and appreciatedVs.Having a sense of personal unworthiness; thrilled that God would use them at all

Wounded when others are promoted & them overlookedVs.Eager for others to get the credit; rejoicing when others arelifted up; promoted

Have subconscious feeling, “This organization is privileged to have me and my gifts”Vs.Heart attitude of “I don’t deserve to have a part in this thing”

Thinking of what they can do for GodVs.Knowing they have nothing to offer God except brokenness

Confident in how much they knowVs.Humbled by how much they have to learn

Self-consciousVs.Not concerned with self at all

Keep others at arms’ lengthVs.Willing to risk getting close to others and take risks of loving intimately

Quick to blame othersVs.Accept personal responsibility and seeing own wrong in situations

Unapproachable or defensive when criticizedVs.Receiving criticism as constructive; with humble spirit

Concerned with being respectable; what others think;Vs.Concerned with being real; only what God thinks, matters

Working to protect reputationVs.Willing to die to reputation

Find it difficult to share spiritual need with othersVs.Willing to be transparent; open with others as God directs

Careful that no one finds out when they’ve sinned- constant cover upVs.Once broken, not caring who knows or finds out; willing to be exposed because of nothing to lose

Have a hard time saying “I was wrong; could you please forgive me?Vs.Quick to admit failure and seek forgiveness needed

Tend to deal in generalities when confessing sinVs.Able to acknowledge specifics when confessing sin

Concerned about the consequences of sinVs.Grieved over cause of sin at it’s root

Not remorseful over sin, but sorry they were caught or found outVs.Truly genuinely repentant over sin, evidenced in forsaking same

Wait for others to come to ask forgiveness when there is misunderstanding or conflict in relationshipVs.Taking initiative toward reconciliation when misunderstanding or conflict in relationships (inevitable) occurs- quick to get to the Cross, no matter how wrong the other

Compare themselves with others and feel worthy of honorVs.Comparing themselves with Holy Standard of Almighty God; feeling desperate need for His Mercy